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Harmful Insects

At bob's Bugs, we believe that educating the customer is the first step in pest control. Many people can't tell the difference between a good insect and a bad insect.

Below is a list of some of the more common harmful bugs that you will find in South florida. Take a few minutes to read the descriptions. Click on the pictures for a larger view and more details about these pesky insects.

Ficus White Fly: Piercing, sucking mouth parts lead to sooty mold. Pupae appear in early spring. Adults live an average of 10 days, but have been known to last 27 days. Look like tiny white moths.

Gumbo Limbo Spiraling Whitefly: Like other whiteflies, symptoms include a white powdery substance on the underside of leaves and excessive sooty mold. Whiteflies also produce a suguary substance called honeydew. Will cause plant damage and branch die back.

White fly damage to ficus hedge. White fly has been devastating to ficus hedges in South Florida.

Florida Carpenter Ant: Large to very large orange and black ant. Nest in dead tree branches, rotting logs, tree stumps, or under yard debris. Does not cause wood damage, but may be a sign of pre-existing damage.

Red Import Fire Ants: Also known as RIFA. These are the common fire ants most of us see in South Florida. Their mounds can have one queen, or multiple queens.

Southern Mole Cricket: One of the most prevalent. Has four distinct light spots behind head. Has 2 generations per year in South Florida. Scavenger and Predacious.

Mole Cricket Damage: Mole Crickets will attack all types of Florida grass, but Bahia and Bermuda grass are favorites. Much damage occurs during tunneling with their powerful fore legs. They can tunnel 15-20 feet per night.

Bedbugs: About the size of an apple seed. Can be difficult to eliminate. Hide in cracks during the day and come out at night to feed on blood of host.

Chinch Bug: Adults are less than a quarter of an inch. Only injurious to St. Augustine Grass. Most damaging from March to October. First noticed in dry or unshaded area of lawn.

Chinch Bug Damage to St. Augustine grass. To inspect for Chinch bugs, search along margin of damage.

African Snails: have both male and female reproductive organs and can multiply faster than rabbits. will consume and destroy over 500 different plant species and even eat the plaster on the walls of buildings. Very difficult to eradicate.

Spidermites : Damage to leaves begins as leaf splitting, which then turns yellow.

Pink Hibiscus Mealy Bug: Primarily a pest of Hibiscus but will attack many other plants including citrus. Encourages sooty mold. Will eventually kill plant.

Two spotted Spider Mite: Most numerous pest. Feeds on fruits and lower plant surfaces. Webbing may occur on underside of leaves. Most severe during dry spells.

American Cockroach: The average length is about one and a half inches. Reddish brown with a yellowing band behind the head. It is considered one of the fastest running insects.

Giant Water Bug: One of the largest insects in North America. They are nicknamed toe-biters because they are capable of inflicting a nasty bite. They are attracted to lights and are sometimes found in large numbers in lighted parking lots at night.

IO Caterpillar: REd and white stripe along the side is a good indicator. Numerous spines can cause Severe Stinging. Found on Oaks and other hardwoods.

Saddleback Caterpillar: Often found on Areca palms. Stinging for defense.

Flea: Small and agile. Fleas are usually dark colored and wingless. They can jump very quickly. Flea bites can cause itching and redness, and can transmite disease.

Blister Bug: Eat the leaves and flowers of most plants. They can release a substance that can cause blisters on the skin.

Silverfish: Wingless and silvery or brown in color. Fast moving and mostly active at night. Can contaminate food, damage paper goods and stain clothing. May damage books, curtains, and wallpaper.

Ticks: Ticks are blood feeders and require blood as nutrition. Related to spiders and mites. Ticks feed for long periods, and can transmit disease.